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Punishment by Patrick McCullagh

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Punishment by Patrick McCullagh
Prior to reviewing this DVD, I was not familiar with Patrick McCullagh, but I can tell that he is a worker who has developed routines for real-world strolling. There’s some strong material for restaurants on this DVD but there are only four routines (five if you count the “bonus” effect that requires a special set of gimmicked cards). I particularly liked McCullagh’s card under watch and his stunning “Single Cup and Balls” that uses a single metal cup and ball bearings.

Sweet Dreams

“Sweet dreams of you” is McCullagh’s take on “dream card.” The magician lays out a folded card that’s held in a binder clip. The spectator selects a card and signs it and the magician loses it in the deck. At the end, the card that’s being held in the binder clip, which is a different color from the deck that has been in use, turns out to be the spectator’s signed card.

I love the “dream card” plot and McCullagh’s version is a powerful one with its color change. However, while I can see how McCullagh successfully performs this one, I think there’s still considerable “heat” at a key moment, which is why I prefer and perform Sean McCree’s version from his “Mix ‘n Mingle” DVD (click here to read our review), which is similar in plot but reduces the “heat.” McCree’s version also provides a reason for initially showing a different card.

Watch This

In the powerful “Card Watch,” the magician allows a spectator to mentally select a card from a packet of eight cards. The magician then deals the cards, one by one, into the spectator’s hand and instructs him to quickly slap his hand on top of his card. After the spectator captures his card, the magician shows that the captured card is the wrong one and that the mentally selected card is now folded and residing under the spectator’s watch. A plus, the routine requires no table and can be performed standing. It’s worth the price of this DVD.

A coin trick with limited angles-spectators will have to be watching from the front and be few in number- “Wild Frame” offers a coin frame (a coin purse frame without a bag) from which three copper coins appear, turn to silver and then back to copper and eventually disappear. This knuckle buster will take lots of practice and I think it’s most impressive for other magicians. It’s an effect that is not practical in my restaurant and strolling situations.

Cups and Balls

The other gem on this DVD is McCullagh’s “Single Cup and Balls,” a cups and balls routine that looks more like a “chop cup” routine that uses a metal cup and ball bearings. McCullagh based his routine on David Williamson’s two-cup routine from his “Sleight of Dave” videotape. McCullagh also says that he developed this effect before he knew about Paul Gertner’s routine.

There’s lots to like here. The routine uses an ungimmicked metal cup and only requires the use of a single pocket, the front right hip pocket. Furthermore, the routine requires no lapping so it can be performed while standing, which makes this one great for restaurant work, although you will need a close-up pad.

The final loads are large ball bearings and during loads, McCullagh offers superb misdirection and explains a clever means to mask the sound of the metal cup hitting the metal balls. Standard chop cup is easier to learn and perform in restaurant situations, but work this one up, and you’ll have an interesting set of props that will make you stand apart from other magicians.

Making Right

“2 Wrongs Don’t Make a Right” is a version of “Color Monte” but with custom cards and some word play. I like the premise, but you will have to purchase the gimmicked cards or make your own. If McCullagh had provided the three cards with this DVD, this DVD would have been a fantastic value.

This DVD is worth it for the “cups and balls” routine and card under watch while McCullagh’s version of dream card will certainly please lay audiences.

-Wayne N. Kawamoto

MSRP: (US) $30

Dealers can purchase from Murphy's Magic Supplies, Inc.

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